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HARRISBURG, Pa., April 24, 2006 /PRNewswire
Governor Edward G. Rendell today said the commonwealth is using innovative and aggressive alternative energy strategies to help Pennsylvania rely less on foreign oil. "Pennsylvania is home to one of the nation's most progressive alternative energy portfolio standards, ensuring that 18 percent of all generated energy comes from clean, efficient sources by 2020. This will mean $10 billion in increased output for the commonwealth, $3 billion in additional earnings and as many as 4,000 new jobs for residents over the next 20 years." Governor Rendell highlighted the numerous efforts made in alternative energy development in the last three years through the commonwealth's programs and initiatives. As a result of discussions between PSATS, the county commissioners association, representatives from the wind energy industry and various state agencies, a model ordinance for townships has been created regarding the location and development of wind energy turbines, which will prove Pennsylvania's leadership among states in the progression of this energy source. The First Industries Fund, a vital program of Governor Rendell's Economic Stimulus Package, has provided nearly $1.4 million for a dozen projects that include biodigesters, biofuel production and wood-fueled power plants. In January 2005, Governor Rendell announced that Gamesa Corp., a Spanish wind-energy company that is the second largest wind energy company in the world, agreed to move its headquarters to the commonwealth. Gamesa represents a $40 million investment in the state that will create as many as 1,000 jobs over five years. The Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority, an independent public financing authority focused on the funding of clean energy products, was reactivated under Governor Rendell and has awarded $15 million in grants and loans for 41 clean energy projects, which will leverage another $200 million in private investment. The projects will create 1,558 permanent and construction jobs. In addition, the research projects, if successful, could net as many as 327 full-time jobs. The commonwealth has also begun investing in start-up solar companies and is working to bring them online with new rules that require power companies to pay the market rate for solar energy and forbid utilities from prohibiting solar and other distributed renewable energy plants from tying into the energy grid. The Pennsylvania Energy Harvest Grant Program, created in May 2003, funds projects that will build markets for advanced and renewable energy technologies that use biomass, wind, solar, small-scale hydroelectric, landfill methane, energy efficiency, coal-bed methane and waste coal. Energy Harvest has awarded $15.9 million and leveraged another $43.7 million in private funds since its inception. The state's Small Business Advantage Grant Program has provided more than $118,000 to 25 projects that promote advanced-energy development and deployment. An initiative focused on building new energy infrastructure, the Alternative Fuels Incentive Program, has allocated $5.3 million, attracting $15.2 million in private funds to expand the state's capacity to produce alternative fuels and offering incentives to stimulate the use of biofuels. Pennsylvania also has the nation's first coal gasification-liquefaction plant located in Schuylkill County. The Waste Management and Processors Inc. waste-coal-to-diesel plant will create as many as 1,000 construction jobs and 600 permanent operating jobs. The plant will clean up millions of tons of waste coal while providing clean diesel at a fraction of the market-rate price. During his remarks, the Governor also discussed ways in which he is aiding in the cooperation of state and local governments, including the $625 million Growing Greener II environmental bond. In cooperation with local governments, 16 general principles to guide this program were agreed upon and the bond referendum was then adopted by the Legislature. In the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the commonwealth's state and local governments came together and worked closely to form a working group with PEMA to address the practical concerns and coordination issues surrounding emergency management issues. Local government organizations have been consulted in the process to identify areas to place micro radio cell towers throughout the commonwealth for emergency responders to communicate on the same frequency. These organizations were also asked to help develop a communications and distribution network with local communities in the event of an influenza pandemic, including formulation and implementation of a comprehensive plan that will ensure that everything possible is done to protect Pennsylvania citizens. Many of these organizations have worked together to develop a report for the Transportation Funding Reform Commission, outlining the needs of local governments with respect to funding of roads; allowable uses of liquid fuels funds; bridge funding; mass transit funding; the Turnback of Roads Program; and the Dirt and Gravel Road Program. "As a former municipal government member myself, I have been on your side of the issues and I understand the needs of communities to identify and prepare for the future, while remaining aware of the issues of today," Governor Rendell said. "Through efforts like the Economic Stimulus Program, Growing Greener II and the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, I have been targeting programs and resources to revitalize towns and cities, create jobs and make Pennsylvania the ideal place to live, work and play. The Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors has been serving second class townships since 1921. Presently, there are more than 1,450 member townships in the commonwealth, representing some 10,000 elected township officials. The Association represents its members before the state and federal legislative bodies strictly on a non-partisan basis. To learn more about the commonwealth's alternative energy initiatives, please visit the Environmental Protection's Department website at http://www.dep.state.pa.us. For more information on PSATS, visit http://www.PSATS.org. The Rendell Administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit his Web site at: http://www.governor.state.pa.us. SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor News Provided By |
